Archived: Kirkley Mill Health Centre

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We visited Kirkley Mill Health Centre on the 13 October 2014 and carried out a comprehensive inspection. The overall rating for this service is requires improvement. We found the practice to be good in the caring and responsive domains but required improvement in the safe, effective and well led domains. Improvements were required in the service provided to older people, people with long term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people, students and those recently retired, people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable and people experiencing poor mental health, including those with dementia.

 Our key findings were as follows:

• The majority of patients reported that clinical staff gave them enough time, explained their condition and treatment, and involved them in decisions about their care and treatment. However, many of the patients told us there was a lack of GPs which resulted in a lack of continuity of care.
• The management team had been working with patients and staff in order to make improvements at the practice. Patients recognised that improvements had been made and staff were keen to continue to improve the practice.
• The practice was clean and hygienic and had robust arrangements for reducing the risks from healthcare associated infections.

We saw several areas of outstanding practice including:

• Positive feedback from a representative of the traveller community who advised that the practice had provided a flexible service to people from the travelling community.
• A dedicated phone line for a range of health professionals, the local hospital and nursing homes so that quick access to a GP could be obtained if necessary.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements. 

Importantly, the provider must:

• A system was in place for reporting, recording and sharing the learning from significant events. However this learning must be embedded in practice.
• The practice needs to ensure that clinicians and non-clinical staff have taken on board learning around all significant events.
• Significant events around delayed referrals had repeatedly occurred. Referrals must be undertaken in a timely manner.
• Complete clinical audit cycles to ensure that appropriate changes are made to patients’ care and treatment to improve their health outcomes.
• Ensure that all staff receive training deemed mandatory by the practice.

In addition the provider should ensure:

• The checking of medicines for stock and expiry dates is documented.
• The knowledge of some of the clinical staff in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) is improved.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice